Ingrid Scheffer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ingrid Scheffer
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Ingrid Scheffer at the Royal Society admissions day in London, July 2018
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Ingrid Eileen Scheffer
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| Education | Methodist Ladies' College, Melbourne |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne (PhD) |
| Awards | Prime Minister's Prizes for Science (2014) L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award (2012) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Epilepsy Neurology |
| Institutions | Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health |
| Thesis | Inherited epilepsy syndromes in multiplex families (1988) |
Ingrid Scheffer is a famous Australian doctor who specializes in helping children with brain conditions. She is a senior researcher at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Dr. Scheffer has made huge discoveries in understanding epilepsy. She is known for finding the very first gene that causes epilepsy. Her work has helped doctors better understand and treat different types of epilepsy.
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Early Life and Learning
Ingrid Eileen Scheffer was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She finished high school at Methodist Ladies' College, Melbourne in 1976. After that, she studied at Monash University. She earned her medical degrees there in 1983.
Later, Dr. Scheffer continued her studies at the University of Melbourne. She completed her PhD in neurology in 1998. She trained to become a children's brain doctor at the Royal Children's Hospital in Australia. She also trained in London, UK, at the Great Ormond Street Hospital. This training helped her become an expert in epilepsy.
Her Amazing Work on Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a condition where brain signals sometimes get mixed up. This can cause seizures. Dr. Scheffer has spent her career studying epilepsy. She has helped describe new types of epilepsy. These new descriptions help doctors give the right treatment.
For example, she helped define conditions like Dravet Syndrome. This work helps families understand what is happening. It also helps them get the best care for their loved ones. Her research also helps families understand the genetic risks of epilepsy. This means they can get advice about how epilepsy might affect future generations.
In 2014, Dr. Scheffer and her colleague, Professor Sam Berkovic, won a big award. They received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science. This award was for their amazing work on the genetics of epilepsy. This is just one of many awards she has received.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Dr. Ingrid Scheffer has received many important awards for her work. These awards show how much her research has helped people around the world.
- American Epilepsy Society Research Recognition Award (2007)
- RACP Eric Susman Prize (2009)
- GSK Award for Research Excellence (2013)
- ILAE Ambassador for Epilepsy Award (2013)
- Australian Neuroscience Medallion (2013)
- Emil Becker Prize for child neurology (2013)
- L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science (2012)
- Prime Minister's Prize for Science (2014)
- Order of Australia (2014)
- Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences
- Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2018
See also
In Spanish: Ingrid Scheffer para niños
